Ventilating openings and closures therefor for mattresses



F. E. RADZIK Oct. 16, 1956 VENTILATING OPENINGS AND CLOSURES THEREFORFOR MATTRESSES Filed July l, 1953 United States Patent -Op VENTILATINGOPENINGS AND CLOSURES THEREFOR FOR MATTRESSES Frank E. Radzik, Chicago,lll. Application July 1, 1953, Serial No. 365,327

9 Claims. (Cl. 5L-347) This is a continuation in par-t of the co-pendingapplication Serial No. 286,051, tiled May 5, 1952, now Patent 2,712,656.

The present invention relates to mattresses `and has for its main objectthe provision of an opening in a mattress casing with means for suitablylining the body portion of the casing adjacent the opening for providinga rigid frame thereby preventing the distortion of the casing materialwhich otherwise would ensue due to the cutting out of the material formaking the said opening. The opening aforesaid is made for the purposeof inserting therethrough a nozzle of a hose leading from a vacuummachine for the purpose of sucking out the air from the mattress casingor blowing the air into the mattress casing and with it removing thedust which has accumulated or has embedded itself within the material ofthe mattress casing and also for renewing or refreshing the air in themattress casing.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a tensioningclosure hingedly connected with the said `frame for normally maintainingthe said opening closed, with means coacting with said frame and bearingagainst said closure for permitting the latter to yield inwardly of thecasing during the insertion of the nozzle aforesaid.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of aspring of a number of modified forms engaged with the said frame andbearing against the said closure for maintaining the latter in itsnormal closed position with relation to the said opening.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision in theframe aforesaid of a suitable anchoring means whereby one end of thespring aforesaid may be anchored and easily attached during the assemblyof the. device.

Other objects of the present invention are specified in my said patent.With the above general objectsin view and -others that will appear asthe invention is better understood, the same consists in the novelconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter morefully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed outin the appended claims.

In the drawing forming a part of this application, and in which likedesignating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral views:

Fig. 1 is a face elevational view of a portion of a mattress casinghaving an opening lined with a frame with the closure in its operativeposition normally closing the said opening; Y

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross sectional View on line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is the elevational View looking from the inside of the mattresscasing showing the frame, the closure hingedly connected therewith, anda spring connected with the frame and bearing against the closure formaintaining it in contact with the said frame, thereby normally closingthe opening defined by said frame;

2,766,465 Patented Oct. 16, 1956- Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view takenon line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line 5*5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a similar view to that of Fig. 3, showing however a modifiedform of a hinge connecting the closure with the frame;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6,which View is almost identical with that of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the frame and the closure looking fromthe inside of the mattress casing, with la modified spring and modifiedanchoring means of the spring upon said frame, with another modificationof a hinge upon which the `closure is suspended upon said Iframe; and

Fig. 9 is an enlarged lfragmentary view of the anchoring means for thespring upon said frame.

Referring in detail to the present drawing there is shown mattresscasing 10, in which an opening of ra substantially rectangular formationis made. Lining the inner face of the body portion of the mattresscasing material adjacent the said opening is washer 11 of asubstantially rectangular formation correspond-ing to the formation ofthe said opening made in the mattress Wall. superimposed upon the outerface of the body portion of the mattress wall adjacent saidvopening isfiller strip 12 which is made of hard rubber, plastic or any othersuitable material. Said filler `strip 12 is substantially of the Widthof said washer 11 so that the two maintain the said body portion of themattress wall adjacent said 'opening in a clamped relation.

The face of said filler strip 12 which contacts with the body portion ofthe mattress Wall adjacent the said opening is of course flat, while theremaining wafll of said filler strip 12 is of an arcuate formation ontransverse cross section imparting -to the said filler strip 12 abeadlike form. l

Overlying the outer arcuate Wall `of .saidiiller strip 12 is framemember 13 which -is of arcuate formation corresponding to the formationof the outer wall of said tiller strip 12. The outer edge of said framemember 13 remains in contact 4with the outer face of themattress wall,while the inner edge is extended inwardly of the mattress in atransverse relation with the mattress Wall and `said washer 11 andthereupon is bent away from the opening defined by the said inner edgeof said framemember 13, effecting lip 14 which overlies the face of saidwasher 11 which yis disposed inwardly of the mattress, las is clearlyseen in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. When said lip 14 is firmly pressed against theadjacent face of said washer 11 the adjacent body portion of themattress fabric will be rmly clamped between the outer arcuate portionof said frame member 13, filler strip 12 and said washer 11, therebypreventing any distortion 4of the mattress wall adjacent the frame whichincludes said washer 11, filler-strip 12, frame member 13 and lip 14.

Designed for closing the said opening made in the mattress Wall andlined by said frame is closure 15, which may be made of metallicperforated plate.

Referring lmore particularly to the showing in Figs. 3 to 7, inclusive,said closure 15 normally remains in contact with said lip 14 formaintaining the said opening closed, due to the action thereon bytensioning spring generally indicated in Fig. 3 by 16.

One of 4the longer outer edges of said washer 11 is indented at Itwopoints to effect Ia pair of outwardly projecting :lugs 17.Intermediately of said lugs 17 and in `a spaced relation with the edgeyof `said wash-er 11 the latter is further indented to dene an outwardlystruck strip 18.

vSaid spring 16 is made out of a single strand of wire,

the ytwo ends `of which fenterfsaid lugs 17. -When said lugs `17 aredepressed, as shown in Figs. 4 tandv7, said-ends of spring 16 will beclamped within said lugs 17 in order to aix the ends of said spring tosaid washer 11. Adjacent -each of its ends fsaid spring v1167is4woundraunumber of t-imes to define coils 19. The portion of the wirestrand leaving said coils V19 Ais formed into nan oblong loop 20,disposed intermediately of said coils 19. Said loop 20 is extendedthrough the -space defined -by said strip `18 and the bodyiportionof-said washer A11 in order that the free end of said loop 20 may fullybear against said closure 15 andmaintainit inra closed relation with theopening defined byrtlie saidframa andin contact with lip 14. ln thatoperative position of said spring 16 coils -19 overhang said strip Y18,the said coils being in a contactual `relation with the exposed face ofsaid strip 18, with Athe stripimpinged between said'coils and 'thestrands which form said `loop 20, `as is clearly seen in Figs. 4 and 7.

ln Fig. 3 one form Iof hinge connection between said closure 15 andwasher 11 is shown. rPhe same includes a pair of hinge members 21 struckout from the body of said washer 11. One of thelonger edges of saidclosure 15, adjacent each end thereof, is provided with hinge loop 22,notched as at 23 to receive therewithin the hinge members 21. Pins 24passed 4through hinge loops 22 and said 'hinge members 21 providefpivotal hinge connection for said closure 15 with said washer 11.

ln Fig. 6 a modied form of the hinge connection for closure 15 is shown.There closure 15 at its longer edge, and adjacent each end, is notchedto define pintle 25. rl`=he two pintles 25 enter hinge members 21 whilethe same are still in an open undepressed condition. When said pifntles25 are seated within said hinge members 21 the latter are then depressedsimilarly to the showing in Fig. 5.

Another modification of the hinge connect-ion between said closure 15and washer 11 is shown in Fig. 8 wherein closure 15 adjacent each of itsends is provided with opening 26, which effects adjacent the edge ofclosure 15 'a narrow strip 27 which is in effect the hinge pintle. Hingemembers 21, before they are looped around said pintles 27 are extendedthrough openings 26 tand Athereupon looped around said pintles27.

Another modification of the 'hinge connection between said closure 15and washer 11 is shown in Fig. 8 wherein closure 15 adjacent each of itsends is provided with opening 26, which etfects adjacent rthe edge ofclosure 15 a narrow strip 27 which is in effect the hinge pintle. Hingemembers 21, before they are looped around said pintles 27 are extendedthrough openings 26 and thereupon looped around said pintles .27.

Figs. Sand 9 show a modification of the construction of `the tensioningspring and its mounting means upon said washer 11. The two ends '28 ofthe spring bear against `closure 15. .At some distance from the freeterminations of the ends of said spring a number of windings are madelto form a coil 29 adjacent each of said ends 28 of the spring. Saidcoils 29 are substantially at a right-angled Arelation with said ends.28. The wire strand portion intermediately of coils 29 has tooth 30formed therein. Said tooth 30 `is of an inverted V-shaped formation.Extending from the free edge of said washer 11 is lip 31, which isprovided adjacent its base with notch 32 into which the apex of saidtooth 30 is inserted. Said lip 31 is disposed between said coils 29.When said lip 31 is folded upon the face of washer 11, as seen in vfulllines in Fig. 8, and dotted lines inFig. 9, the strand portion of thewire intermediately of coils 29 will be firmly clamped between the bodyof said washer 11 and lip 31, tooth 30 preventing any rotary swivelling(movement of coils 29 and of the portion of wire strand interrnediatelythereof. By virtue of the fact that said toothremains within notch 32,coils 29 and the strand portion of the wire intermediately thereof willbe prevented from a longi- Atudinalrshiftingmovement.

As is obvious coils 19 and 29 impart to loop 20 and ends 28,respectively, .a suicient degree of tension to cause elosu re 15 ltoclose automatically when `a vacuum hose nozzle piece has been withdrawnfrom 'the opening defined by the said frame, being at the same timesufficiently resilient to permit angular shifting of closure 15 upon itshinge lto an open position when forcedby the nozzle piece.

lt the spring shown in Fig. 3 is cut :at the point of the apex of loop20, or if spring of Fig. 8 is cut at the point of the apex of tooth 30,then in either event the spring will be of a simplified construction,each made of a single strand of material with a coil intermediately ofits ends, with one end connecting with washer 11 and the other endthereof bearing against closure 15. Such a spring would worl: equallywell, and the showing in the drawing i-s a duplication of such a spring.

As is obvious closure 15 may be entirely eliminated, thesame not beingabsolutely necessary, because the opening made by the frame 13 may beleft optionally open.

While there is described herein a preferred embodi ment Vof the presentinvention, it is nevertheless to be understood 4that minor changes maybe made 4therein Without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as claimed.

What 1 claim as new is:

1. ln a mattress including a casing, said casing having an opening, awasher superimposed upon the face of the marginal portion of said casingadjacent said opening, means lfor maintaining said washer in a connectedrelation with 4said marginal portion of said casing adjacent saidopening, and a closure hingedly connected to said washer `for normallymaintaining said opening closed.

2. Ina mattress including la casing, said casing having an opening, Iawasher superimposed upon the face of the marginal portion of said casingadjacent said opening, means for maintaining said washer in `a connectedrelation with said marginal portion of said casing adjacent saidopening, a cl-osure hingedly connected `to said washer, landtensioningfmeans connected with said washer and coacting with saidclosure for normally maintaining the latter vin a closed position withrelation to said opening.

3. In a mattress including a casing, said casing having an opening, yawasher superimposed upon the face of the marginal .portion of saidcasing adjacent said opening, means for maintaining said washer in aconnected relation Withusaid marginal portion of said casing adjacentsaid opening, a closure hingedly connected to said washer, a lug formedin said washer, and a spring made of a single strand of material, saidspring including a coil intermediately of its ends, 'one end of saidspring being engaged by said lug while the opposite end thereof bearingagainst said closure for normally maintaining the latter in a closedposition with relation to said opening.

4. In a mattress including a casing, said casing having an opening, awasher superimposed upon the face of the marginal portion of said casing`adjacent said opening, means for maintaining said washer in a connectedrelation with said marginal portion of said casing adjacent saidopening, a closure hingedly connected to said washer, a spring, saidspring being formed out of a single strand of material, and meanscarried by said washer for engaging one end of said spring, the oppositeend of said spring bearing against said closure for normally maintainingthe latterin `a closed relation with said opening.

5. In a mattress including a casing, said casing having an opening, awasher superimposed upon the face `of the marginal portion of saidcasing ladjacent said opening, means for maintaining said washer in aconnected relation with 4said marginal portion of said casing adjacentsaid opening, a closure hingedly connected to said washer, and atensioning spring interconnected between said washer and said closure,said tensioning spring bearing againstsaid closure for normallymaintaining the latter in a closed relation with said opening.

6. In .a mattress lincluding a easing having an yopening therein, 1awasher superimposed upon .a face of the casing surrounding the opening,means for securing the Washer to the casing, a closure for said opening,a 'loop secured to the washer and offset therefrom, and `a pintleconnected with the closure and extending through the loop forming a'hinged connection 'between the -closure and the washer.

7. In a mattress including la casing having ian opening therein, :aWasher superimposed upon a face of the casing surrounding the opening,means Jfor securing the washer to the casing, a closure for saidopening, means forming a hinged connection Ibetween the closure and thewasher, la member formed integrally with the washer tand outstrucktherefrom, ia coiled spring extending intermediate the ends thereofbehind said Ioutstruck member and having one end thereof bearing `on theclosure fand the opposite end Athereof bearing on the Washer andyieldably urging the closure in closed relation with said 'opening.

8. In .a mattress including ia casing having an opening therein, awasher superimposed upon a face of the casing surrounding the opening,means for securing the Washer to 'the casing, a closure for saidopening, means forming a hinged connection between the closure and thewasher, :an outstruck strip formed integral with the washer, a lugsecured on the washer adjacent said strip, a spring member extendingbodily behind said loutstruck strip yand connected at `one end Ithereofwith the lug and having the lopposite end thereof bearing -on theclosure normally urging 'the closure in closed relation over theopening.

9. In a mattress including a casing having `an opening therein, a washersuperimposed upon :a face "of the easing sunrounding the opening, meansfor securing the Washer to the casing, a closure for vsaid opening,means forming a hinged connection between the closure and thewasher, anIoutstruck strip formed integnal with the Washer, a lug secured lon theWasher adjacent -sa'id strip, a spring member extending bodily behindsaid outstruck 'strip 4and connected at one end thereof with the llug:and having the opposite yend thereof bearing on the closure normallyurging the closure in closed relation lover the opening, said springmember having "a coil formed therein intermediate its ends and overlyingIthe front yof the Ioutstruck strip bearing thereon.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 389,420Sutton Sept. 11, i1888 1,303,852 Chase May 20, 1919 1,818,608 ChafkinAug. 11, 1931 1,963,318 Wolf June 19, 1934 2,583,730 Dick Jan. 29, 1952

